A method and an equipment for the electrolytic deposition of gold or gold alloys

(19)

(11)

EP 1 050 607 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	13.11.2002 Bulletin 2002/46

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	08.11.2000 Bulletin 2000/45

(21)	Application number: 00500086.4

(22)	Date of filing: 03.05.2000

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: C25D 21/14, C25D 21/12, C25D 17/12, C25D 17/06

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

06.05.1999 ES 9900931

(71)	Applicant: Ferre Torres, Josep
	08017 Barcelona (ES)

(72)	Inventor:
	Ferre Torres, Josep 08017 Barcelona (ES)

(74)	Representative: Ponti Sales, Adelaida et al
	C. Consell de Cent, 322 08007 Barcelona 08007 Barcelona (ES)

(54)	A method and an equipment for the electrolytic deposition of gold or gold alloys

(57) Replenishing of gold is carried out by continuous recirculation of the cyanide-alkaline electrolyte between the electrodeposition electrolytic cell (1) and an auxiliary electrolytic cell (2) in whose anode (21) are placed gold sheets (22) so that free potassium cyanide formed in the electrolyte as a consequence of electrodeposition process, combines with gold in said auxiliary electrolytic cell (2) to produce the cyano-complex (K(Au(CN)2).
The equipment comprises an electrodeposition electrolytic cell (1) and an auxiliary electrolytic cell (2) that allows the continuous replenishing of gold.
The features of the invention allow to produce an electroplate of uniform thickness and composition, keeping the costs, especially those of replenishing gold, at a low level.

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